Overview"The Lone Ranger" is a 2013 American action-adventure Western film directed by Gore Verbinski. Regardless of being a ticket office dissatisfaction and receiving mixed reviews, the film acquired a cult following with time. The movie revamps the renowned character of the Lone Ranger and his partner Tonto from radio shows and television series, with its plot focusing on the change of John Reid into the Lone Ranger.
Plot SummaryThe film is essentially constructed around the story of two mismatched heroes; a male of the law, John Reid (Armie Hammer), who becomes the Lone Ranger and a Comanche tribal member, Tonto (Johnny Depp), who has a manipulated point of view of the world. It takes its cue from a senior Tonto's recollections to a young kid in 1933's San Francisco; he recounts tales of his past, restoring the story of the Lone Ranger.
The narrative of the Lone Ranger traces back to 1869 when Tonto experienced John Reid, a just recently appointed district lawyer on a train, which was hijacked by the killer Butch Cavendish (William Fichtner) and his gang. Cavendish butchers a group of Texas rangers, including Dan Reid (James Badge Dale), John's sibling.
John Reid, who is found by Tonto, gets a lease on life after being left for dead by Cavendish. Inspired by the brutal killing of his brother's unit and a requirement to bring justice to the western frontier, John unwillingly plays along with Tonto's eccentric behavior and puts on a mask, ending up being the eponymous 'Lone Ranger'.
Styles and SymbolismThe movie deals with themes of justice, revenge, and the clashing of 2 cultures - the Whites and the Native Americans. The strong historic undercurrent of the American western expansion, particularly the conclusion of the Transcontinental Railroad, acts as the backdrop of the story. The inherent values of its 2 central characters, John Reid's official law orientation versus Tonto's nature-centric spiritual beliefs, highlight the intricacy of justice in a region marked by lawlessness and greed.
Paradoxically, Reid's mission for justice mirrors Tonto's thirst for vengeance against Cavendish, who is not just a killer but likewise a representation of the monstrous truth of the trespassing White civilization that caused the extermination of his people. This shared cause brings together this uniquely mismatched duo in their unorthodox mission for justice.
Critical ReceptionWhile visually lavish and filled with several of Verbinski's characteristic action set-pieces, the film was not well-received by critics upon its preliminary release. It was also a major monetary failure, but in spite of its important and industrial imperfections, it has handled to develop a little, devoted fan base throughout the years.
Conclusion"The Lone Ranger" links slapstick funny with extreme action scenes, while representing the transformation of an idealistic lawyer into a legendary Western vigilante. Armie Hammer and Johnny Depp reveal an excellent comic timing and chemistry, providing a compelling, if rather flawed, modern take on traditional Western lore.
Top Cast
